Preview: Tigers at Yankees

April 28, 2012|Reuters

After overcoming Justin Verlander, the New York Yankees will attempt to win their three-game series when they host the Detroit Tigers on Saturday. The Yankees scored five runs against the reigning American League MVP and Cy Young Award winner Friday before scratching for a pair of late runs in a 7-6 win.

Alex Rodriguez went 3-for-4 with a solo homer off Verlander, but his bat remained on his shoulders in the ninth inning as Derek Jeter scored the winning run on a passed ball. Austin Jackson went 4-for-5 for the Tigers, who dropped their fifth straight and sixth in seven games.

Smyly has certainly deserved a better fate this season. The 22-year-old rookie has yielded only one run in all three starts in 2012, but has yet to record a decision. Smyly handcuffed the high-powered Texas Rangers in his last trip to the mound, scattering five hits and striking out seven in six solid innings.

While Smyly has been snake-bitten, Garcia has pretty much been consumed by the anaconda. The 35-year-old Venezuelan has permitted 14 runs and 20 hits in three abbreviated starts this season. After allowing five runs on seven hits in 1 2/3 innings against the rival Boston Red Sox last Saturday, Garcia will look to break out of his funk against Detroit. Garcia owns an 18-8 mark in his career versus the Tigers.

WALK-OFFS

1. Miguel Cabrera, who became the sixth youngest player to record his 1,000th career RBI, is 9-for-23 (.391) with three homers in his career against Garcia. Jackson, however, has struggled, going 4-for-18 (.222).

2. Jeter saw his 15-game hitting streak come to an end after his 0-for-4 performance Friday. The fruitless effort was only the second this season for the captain, who also went 0-for-4 on April 8 in a 3-0 loss to Tampa Bay.

3. Delmon Young apologized following his arrest on a hate crime harassment charge. According to police, Young engaged in a fight with a group of men outside the team's hotel and yelled anti-Semitic epithets. Young, who was held out of the lineup in the opener, is questionable for Saturday's tilt.